Saturday, March 31, 2012

IN A TIGHT SPOT: Traders at the Kampung Bakar Batu night market say the place is cramped

Traders at the Kampung Bakar Batu night market are finding it hard to run their business at their new location as the area is cramped. Pic by Mohamad Fahd Rahmat

JOHOR BARU: MORE than 30 traders at the Kampung Bakar Batu night market are claiming the location designated for the night market is cramped and is affecting their business.

Fruit seller Esa Kassim, 46, said the problems arose when the night market traders were asked to relocate to the present location this year following a nearby development project.

He said it was the fourth time he had to relocate his stall since setting up shop at the night market 20 years ago. “Previously, the other traders and I operated near the SK Bakar Batu but because of a highway project, we were told to move closer to a housing estate.

“After we relocated, many customers thought our night market had closed down, and this had affected our business,” said Esa.

Fashion accessories seller Roslina Rosman, 47, said the traders urged the Johor Baru City Council to take note of the problem before it worsens. She said if the problem persisted, she may have to close shop.

“We are not happy about operating from here as it is cramped. We are also worried about our safety as minor accidents have occurred,”said Roslina. Customer Budiman Markani, 46, said the night market does not have enough parking bays.

“My family and I are forced to park our vehicles far away because the area is cramped. We hope the Johor Baru City Council will relocate the night market to a better place,” said Budiman.

JOHOR BARU: Motorists can now enjoy smoother traffic flow as the second bridge connecting Bakar Batu and Permas Jaya is finally completed, after the project started four years ago.

Construction for the new 700m double-lane bridge, costing RM25mil, began in 2008.

The bridge sits parallel to the existing bridge, which only has two lanes to accommodate a two-way traffic flow.Traffic jams, however, have always been a problem for motorists passing the area, hence the construction of the second bridge.

Permas assemblyman Datuk M. Samy said the second bridge could solve the longstanding traffic woes in the area. “The project began four years ago after we received many complaints that the first bridge could not cater to the large volume of vehicles that passed by the area.

“The bridge’s completion is slightly delayed as it was supposed to be opened in September last year but everyone is glad that it is finally opened,” he said.

Meanwhile, restaurant proprietor Chong Si Ling, 28, said the new bridge would boost her business as many of her customers also complained about traffic congestion in the area.

“Since the project started some four years ago, my business suffered a dip as a lot of people avoided coming into Permas Jaya because of the bottleneck at the bridge,” she said.

Taxi driver Lim Heng Sing, 53, said it would definitely be easier for him to travel along the route.

“Before the bridge was completed, I avoided going to the area unless I absolutely have to but now, it is easier to make rounds in the area to wait for customers,” he added.